History

The Pop Up Pantry was created in December 2014 by then graduate student Yara Mowafy and University Life staff member Michael Galvin­­­. Their original goal was to raise awareness regarding the various challenges that some George Mason University students face regarding food insecurity. In response, Yara and Michael created a food pantry to provide access to non-perishable food items, toiletries, and basic school supplies to students who could not afford them.

Michael Galvin and Yara Mowafy in the original Pop Up Pantry

In the 2015-2016 academic year, daily operation of the Pantry was taken over by undergraduate students Gary Hooker and Noah Shoates. They further developed the Pantry and were instrumental in relocating to a new designated space in SUB I. In the spring 2017 semester, the name of the Pantry was officially changed to the Patriot Pantry. The Patriot Pantry has continued to develop and serve the George Mason University student population.